Events

News Briefs January 24, 2014

THE AIR FORCE RESERVE COMMAND YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM

Yellow Ribbon helps maintain resiliency during all stages of deployment and is paramount to the morale and welfare of our Airmen and families. The AFRC YRP is a series of events designed to provide members and families with essential resources prior to departure (pre-deployment), a level of stability and support while deployed (during deployment), and successful re-integration techniques after the deployment cycle ends (post deployment). Tap our resources to learn about all of the benefits available to you, how you can participate, and the invaluable impact Yellow Ribbon has had in the lives of thousands of fellow reservist and their families. Visit afrc.yellowribbon@us.af.mil for information. The next Yellow Ribbon events are scheduled for Feb. 21-23, 2014 in Carlsbad, Calif. and March 28-30, 2014 in Garden Grove, Calif. For more information please contact the 452 AMW Yellow Ribbon Representative, Senior Master Sgt. Jo Carrillo, Josephine.carrillo@us.af.mil or 951-655-2571.

MARCH VITA CENTER NEEDS HELP TO OPERATE IN 2014

In January 2012, March ARB opened up the first Tax Center in AFRC and the first at March since 1995. Since that time, dedicated volunteers have doubled the number of people and returns they have prepared each year.

The March Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center needs volunteers to help them with a successful 2014 tax season. The Center must have a minimum of 12 volunteers (civilian employees, reservists, guardsmen, dependents, retirees, etc.) by Jan. 21 or they may not be able to open and provide free tax filing service to everyone. Currently, they do not have any Air Force volunteers (Reservists, Active Duty or Guard members).

*To volunteer, visit https://www.linklearncertification.com/d and create an account. Then complete all training listed under the “Military” tab.

*Submit the certificates to david.shore@us.af.mil or and let him know which days and hours you are available to volunteer during the week. (They ask for four hours per week, per volunteer.)

If you’d like more information, please call David Shore at 951-655-4479 or e-mail him at david.shore@us.af.mil.

Club promotes healthier eating

The Back Street Café, in the Hap Arnold Club, has joined the Healthy Base Initiative with their daily lunch specials that began Dec. 23rd. The new cuisine received high praises from a panel of tasters prior to the launch. Daily specials range from 6.95-8.95 for members and 7.95-9.95 for non-members and include Arnold Club chicken salad, Thai shrimp burrito combo, shrimp scampi and baby back ribs. For further information, see the graphic in this issue or call the club at 951-655-4920.

PAY ALERT: 2014 MILITARY PAY INCREASE SIGNED

It’s official. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 includes a one percent, across-the-board base pay raise for 2014. This raise is .7 percent less than the 2013 military pay increase, making it among the smallest increases since 1962. In addition, new rates have been set for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

For a copy of the 2014 Military and 2014 Reserve/Guard Pay Charts, BAH and COLA information, visit http://www.military.com then select “Benefits” to find the area you are looking for.

W-2s AVAILABLE ON MY PAY

Military members can now log on to My Pay to print a copy of their W-2s for tax-filing purposes. It is accessible through the Air Force Portal or log on at https://mypay.dfas.mil.

IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN VETERANS REFERRAL PROGRAM

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) launched its Rapid Response Referral Program (RRRP) to California on Jan. 23, 2014. The program directly connects new veterans and their families to local resources and to one-on-one support with IAVA’s Veteran Transition Managers. The RRRP helps cut through red tape and provides California post-9/11 veterans and their families with access to services ranging across employment, education, housing, mental health and more. To find out more, visit www.IAVA.org.

Local Military Discounts

Pentagon Channel

U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Russell S. McMillan (From left to right) U.S. Rep. Mark Takano, who represents the 41st District of California, and Julia Steinberger, senior legislative assistant to Takano’s office, discus...

U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Megan Crusher Almira Pasic and her youngest son, Memsudin, participate in an activity during the Warrior Support Forum, at a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, held in Chandler, Ariz., July 26...

Courtesy photo Retired Lt. Col. Bruce Sooy receives a demonstration flight at Nut Tree Airport, Calif., July 2015. It had been 56 years since he had last flown an aircraft. (This feature is part of the “Through Airmen’s Eye...

Army Reserve Pvt. 2nd Class Kiet Duong, a culinary specialist with the 387th, sifts flour through a sieve during the competition. Duong, a Garden Grove, Calif., native, used the flour in the baked wheat rolls and Boston cream c...

Courtesy photo of Marine Maj. Bridget Guerrero (ret.) Marine Maj. Bridget Guerrero (ret.) ran 160 miles around the Puget Sound in Washington from July 23-26, 2015. Each mile represented a female service member who lost her life...

Information

Publisher

The Beacon is published by Aerotech News and Review. Aerotech is a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the 452nd Air Mobility Wing. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for employees and members of U.S. military services, retirees and family members. Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the DoD or the Department of the Air Force.

Disclaimer

The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services by the DoD, the Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and Review, Inc.
Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the staff of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office at March Air Reserve Base. All photographs in the Beacon are Air Force photos unless otherwise stated.